VfL Bochum Preview

VfL Bochum

Coach: Marcel Koller

The 48 year old coach is already training Bochum for 5 years. His contract is finishing this season, but if he will work meticulous again it should be not a big deal for him to hold Bochum in Bundesliga and get a new contract.

Money spend for transfers: 0 €
Money earned from transfers: 1.200.000 €

Balance: -1.200.000 €

Atmosphere during training camp&test matches:

The results in training camp were all good. Three matches and three wins, f.e. against Zürich. At the end the team made a tired impression which is normal after a though condition based training camp.

Possible line-ups & tactics:











Most likely:
1. 4-4-2 (4-1-2-1-2); LB,CB,CB,RB,DM,OM,RM,LM,ST,ST

Aim set by club:

Midfield position and not to be relegated!

Team check:

Goalkeeper: 4/10

Daniel Marcio Fernandes was bought last season and after some good performances he did more and more mistakes and at the end of the season Heerwagen got his chance and showed accosting performances.

Now during test matches Fernandes did some mistakes again and it seems like Heerwagen will be the number 1 at the beginning of the season although the coach did not comment this.

Still quality wise they are behind a lot of clubs on this position.

Defence: 5/10

Marcel Maltritz, Anthar Yahia and Mavraj are fighting for the two centre back positions. Maltritz should play for sure. Mavraj has some advantage over Yahia, who lost his starting position to Mavraj during the last season after some very bad performances.

Left back is Fuchs for sure who is a fighter. Running a lot, also with some help to offense.

It is not sure who will play on right back position. Both Pfertzel and Concha are on the same level and it will depend on how the coach will decide.

To rate the defence we have to compare it a bit to the other defences. When doing this, there are still some big differences and aspects which have to be improved.

Midfield: 4/10

Dabrowski, Daniel Imhof and Johansson are fighting for the defensive midfield position. It will depend on whether Bochum will play with two defensive midfield or only with one.

Dabrowski has the best chances to play, but he could also move to left midfield where his good offensive abilities could be used better. He has some good shots.

Dennis Grote and Azaouagh could play left midfield as well. While Grote is more the defensive minded player Azaouagh is the offensive all-rounder, creative guy with smart passes.

Right midfield is a big question mark really. Paul Freier was brought to Bochum and Fans were very happy. I did not rate him high at all even during his time in Leverkusen and we saw what he is capable of doing last season. It was just bad.
Either Azaouagh, Ono or Epalle could play on this position, but one of them will also have to play on the offensive midfield position.

Some rotation possible here, but that is not the best condition to have a working midfield at all.

Striker: 5/10

Stanislav Sestak and Klimowicz are the strikers who should score the goals. Sestak was the best striker for Bochum, but his performances were to inconsistent last season.
Klimwoicz is aged, 35 years old now and he does not show his old goal danger anymore too.

Vahid Hashemian.. well I doubt this guy can get back to good form at all and the new transfer Dedic with seven goals in 31 matches does not show a very good statistic.

Too much responsibility on Sestak in my opinion. That may work but it is risky for sure!

Total: 4/10

My prognosis:

Many aspects which do not look good here and nothing really changed. The defense does make too may individual mistakes. The offense has not enough power to score important goals. Relegation fight from beginning to the end. That is what Bochum will have to face if they don't get some players on very great and unexpected form.
But as I said "unexpected good form". I don't believe at this and Bochum must tremble until the end of the season!